Holding device for expandable files



July 9, 1968 H. WILES 3,391,693

, HOLDING DEVICE FOR EXPANDABLE FILES Filed July 13. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HQREY W45:

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July 9, 1968 H. WILES 3,391,698

7 HOLDING DEVICE FOR EXPANDABLE FILES Filed July 13. 19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Harry Niles BY %ORNEY United States Patent 3,391,698 HOLDING DEVICE FOR EXPANDABLE FILES Harry Wiles, 5814 Wilkinson Ave., North Hollywood, Calif. 91600 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 450,678,

Apr. 26, 1965. This application July 13, 1967, Ser.

2 Claims. (Cl. 12915) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention provides a manually insertable device for holding wide open an expandable or accordion-type file for papers, so that a filing clerk may have ready access to the interiors of the pockets of the file without manipulating or necessarily touching the file; the device being easily removed without disturbing the papers in the file, to permit the file to return to its normal condition. The device works equally well whether the file is in its normal position or is stood on end to expose horizontal pockets.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 450,678, filed Apr. 26, 1965, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a device for use with expandable files and more particularly to a unitary narrow inexpensive device for holding such an expandable file in open position to facilitate rapid convenient filing of material such as letters, invoices, checks and the like.

Expandable files are often constructed with accordiontype side walls which permit collapse of such files to a relatively narrow depth. Such files may be extended or spread open to maximum open position in which the overall length of the file may be many times its collapsed dimension. The resiliency of the material in side and bottom walls of such expandable files normally tends to return the file almost to its normal collapsed condition, such return being dependent upon material (if any) already contained in the file. Because of this tendency to return to normal collapsed condition, it is often difiicult and awkward to attempt to insert file material into the pockets normally provided in such a file. In many instances it requires the use of two hands in order to insert such material, one hand being used to extend the file or the pocket opening and the other hand to insert the file material. Moreover, such expandable files may often be used by accountants as shorting or organizing means for classifying invoices, checks and the like by number or by alphabet. When used for such organizing purposes continual spreading apart of selected pockets is not only time consuming but also tedious, aggravating and sometimes even frustrating when each collapsed pocket must be separately opened. It will be readily apparent that if such an expandable file were held in maximum open position, each of the pockets would be open and material being filed could be simply dropped into the open pocket.

The present invention contemplates an inexpensive device for holding such an expandable file in approximately maximum open position so that classifying, sorting and insertion of material to be filed may be rapidly and easily accomplished. The present invention contemplates an integral, narrow, thin means for holding the end walls of such a file in maximum spaced relationship with the pockets therebetween in open position without interference to the insertion or dropping of material to be filed into the pockets.

The primary object of the present invention therefore is to disclose and provide a novel means for holding an expandable file in approximately maximum open position.

An object of the invention is to disclose and provide a spreading device for such an expandable file which will not interfere with the filing of material therein.

Another object of the invention is to disclose and provide a holding device for such an expandable file wherein the holding device is readily associated and disassociated with the expandable file.

A further object of the invention is to disclose and provide a holding device which includes adjustment means for adjusting the holding means to expandable files of different maximum open dimensions.

A general object of the invention is to disclose and provide a holding device for such a file which is inexpensive to manufacture, is readily engaged with an expandable file and which is positive in operation.

The file spreading or holding device of the present invention is adapted to be utilized with an expandable file with pockets as a check sorter, correspondence, invoice form or other document classifier or sorter used by accountants and others in connection with maintaining files of business activities of various kinds and sorts. It may also be utilized with an expandable file without pockets which may be used as a tub adapted to receive hanging files such as Pentafiex.

Generally speaking the holding means of the present invention comprises an elongated body member adapted to extend lengthwise of the file at one side thereof and means provided at opposite ends of the member for frictional gripping engagement with wall sections of the file at opposite ends of the file, the major portion of the holding means or body member being disposed externally of the file.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following description of the drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the holding means are shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an expanded file and a holding device embodying the present invention associated with opposite sides of the file.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the holding device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line III-III of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line VV of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational View partly in section showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view taken in the plane indicated by line VII-VII of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of an accordion-type file stood on end and held fully open by devices of the invention; the broken lines indicating that the file and devices are of indefinite length; one side wall of the file being broken away to show how a leg of the device engages the inside wall of the expanded file.

FIGURE 9 is a View generally like FIG. 8, but showing how a device embodying the invention may be used satisfactorily with a file of considerably less depth than the length of the end legs of the device.

FIGURE 10 is a front elevation of the file of FIGURE 8, showing how two of the devices co-operate to expand the pockets of the file to an equal extent on each side.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a further modified form of the device.

In FIGURE 1, an expandable file generally indicated at 10, is of well known construction and comprises end walls 11 of relatively stilf paper stock, side walls 12 of pleated or accordion-type construction and comprising a plurality of foldable vertical panels 14 which in collapsed position are folded on top of each other so as to reduce to a minimum the overall collapsed length of the file. A bottom wall (not shown) may be similarly pleated to correspond with the pleats in the side walls 12 so as to permit such collapsed position of the file 10. Extending between the side walls 12 and connected thereto at fold lines 15 may be a plurality of transversely extending partition walls 16 defining a plurality of pockets 17 having top openings. The expandable file may comprise any selected number of pockets 17 and partitions and may be expandable to any selected length.

A holding device 26 in this example may comprise an elongated rigid unitary wire body member 21 made of any suitable wire stock. The body member 21 may include a straight central portion 22 extending for a major portion of the length of the file when expanded. Means are provided at opposite ends of the body member 21 for frictional and gripping engagement with walls of the file 10 at opposite ends of the file. Such means may include wire end portions comprising spaced legs 23 and 24 interconnected by a straight longitudinally extending intermediate portion 25. The lower end of leg 23 may be integrally connected with the adjacent end of central portion 22. The lower end of leg 24 may be provided with an inturned curved extremity 26 to facilitate assembly with the file 10. The configuration of the holding device is readily fabricated and the end portions may be bent to form an inverted U shape. The overall length of holding device 20 between end legs 24 may be approximately the maximum dimension between end walls 11 when file It is expanded to maximum open position.

Holding device 20 may be associated with file 10 by inserting one end leg 24 into the end pocket 28 of the file at one corner of the file. As the holding device is moved downwardly the central portion 22 and the leg 23 contiguous therewith are guided to the outside of the side wall 12, as shown in FIGURE 1. At the same time the other end leg 24 is guided into the opposite end pocket 28 and its adjacent leg 23 is likewise guided to the outside of side wall 12. The interconnecting portions extend diagonally across the adjacent top edges of side walls 12. When the holding device 20 is moved to its final assembled position (FIGURE 1) it will be noticed that the interconnecting portions 25 may contact and seat against the top edges of side walls 12 to provide a stop for such downward movement. Since the holding device 20 is substantially stiff and rigid the end legs 24 have pressure engagement with end wall sections to hold a file expanded. In addition the end legs 24 and the cooperating legs 23 frictionally engage the contiguous sections of the side walls and thereby provide lateral positioning of the holding device. It will be apparent that each of the pockets 17 is fully cpen and only the end pockets 28 have inserted therein a portion of the device 20. Thus there is virtually no interference by the holding device 20 with the insertion of filing material into the open pockets 17.

Preferably a holding device 20 is employed at each side wall of an expandable file, as illustrated. It will be apparent that when the expandable file is of relatively short width only one holding device 20 may be employed since the relative stiff characteristic of end walls of such expandable files will permit only limited insignificant collapse of the opposite side Wall.

In FIGURE 4 a different embodiment of the holding device of this invention is shown. A holding device 20 may comprise a central portion having spaced parallel portions 32 and 32. End portions may comprise spaced legs 33 and 34 interconnected by a top horizontal portion 35 which is integral with and a straight extension of the top horizontal portion 32' of the central portion. Each end leg 34 is provided with an inturned extremity 36. In fabricating the holding device 3%) it will be apparent that a single piece of wire comprising central portion 32 horizontal end portions 35 and end legs 34 may be conveniently formed as by bending. Legs 33 and central portion 32 may be formed separately and the upper ends of legs 33 secured as by welding at 37 to the central portion 32.

The assembly of holding device 30 with the expandable file 10 may be performed in the same manner as that above described. It will be noted that the upper horizontal central portion 32 will serve to further stiffen the holding device of this invention and may be preferably used when the expandable file It is of large size.

The embodiment of this invention shown in FIGURE 6 is similar to that shown in FIGURE 2 and differs therefrom in that the holding device generally indicated at 40 includes a central portion 42 which is separated into two parts 42a and 42b. Parts 42a and 42b may beinserted and received within an elongated cylindrical sleeve 48 provided with a set screw 49. The adjustment means thus provided by central portion parts 42a and 42b and sleeve 48 permits adjustment of the distance between end legs 44 so as to adapt holding device 42 to expandable files 10 of different length. When the desired length is obtainedthe set screw 49 will be tightened.

It will be readily understood that operation of each of the embodiments of the invention described above is much the same in that the holding device 20- or 30 or 49 may be readily slipped into and assembled with an expandable file with the central portion disposedvextcrnally of the side wall of the file. Since expandable files are made in selected standard lengths, a holding device such as 20 may be made in such corresponding lengths. It will also be understood that the spacing betweenend legs 23 and 24 may be varied and may be closely spaced together so as to frictionally grip wall sections of the expandable file adjacent a corner of the file. In the examples of the invention shown the end legs such as 2 4, 34 and 44 pressure engage end walls of an associated expandable file and legs 23, 33 and 43 pressure engage in a lateral direction side walls of the expandable file. Thus the holding devices of this invention are releasably frictionally positioned with respect to the expanding file and are readily installed and removed from an associated expandable file.

The manner in which the file spreading or holding device of the present invention is used with an expandable file with pockets is readily understood from the above description and it will be readily apparent that the pockets held open by the holding device of this invention are conveniently and readily accessible for the filing of correspondence, checks, invoice forms or other documents for which the expandable file is intended. When the holding device of this invention is use dwith an expandable file without pockets it will be apparent that such file presents as enlarged rectangular opening forming in eifect a tub. In the example shown in FIGURE 4, the holding devcie 3% includes a straight continuous upper rod comprising portions 35 and 32' which extend along the top edge of the open expandable tub file and may provide a support rod from which hanging files may be supported within the tub. Such hanging files usually comprise a pair of transverse members from which a folded envelope or sheet is suspended, the support members being adapted to be spread apart to receive material being filed. It will be apparent that the ends of such transverse support members may rest upon the longitudinally extending upper member of the holding device 30. and since such member is rigid and is supported by the upper edge of the side wall of the file the holding device 30 is readily adapted to such use.

Now referring to FIGURES 8 and 10, the files 10 are stood on end to permit the pockets to be exposed horizontally, as may be useful when filing papers from a table or desk. The slightly modified form of holding devices 59 are inserted in an accordion-type file it and have their end legs 51 of substantially the same length as the interior depth of the end pockets 28 of the file, so the extremities 52 of the legs reach substantially to the bottoms or innermost walls of the pockets. The central portion of each device has a sleeve 53 which may have a set screw (not shown) to secure the relatively movable sections of the device, as will be understood from FIGURES 6 and 7. FIGURE 10 shows in an exaggerated manner how the two holding devices at each side of the file are slightly bent under the reaction of the expanded file. This slight distortion disappears when the devices are removed; the resilience of the wire restoring the devices to straightness.

FIGURE 9 shows how a device 55 may be used on a file of less depth than the length of the end legs 51; or it may be used with a file of much greater depth than those illustrated.

FIGURE 11 shows a slightly ditterent form of device 56, having spaces between the end legs 57 and the inner legs 58 which are narrower than the corresponding spaces shown in the forms of FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9. This form of the invention is on the market.

It will be understood that various modifications and changes may be made in the examples of the invention described above and which come within the spirit of this invention and all such changes and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims are embraced thereby.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with an accordion-type file for papers and the like, said file having an inherent tendency to collapse and having an open top, two side walls which are vertically disposed and pleated, a bottom wall which is similarly pleated, two relatively stiff end walls, and a plurality of transversely extending, spaced, vertically disposed partition walls secured at their opposite ends to said side walls to form a plurality of filing pockets each opening at the top; an attachment for temporarily holding the file expanded to expose the interiors of said pockets to receive papers from the top; said attachment consisting of an elongated substantially rigid wire body having a straight intermediate portion extending longitudinally on the outside of one of said side walls and in substantial contact therewith, said straight intermediate portion having a length considerably greater than the length of the file when collapsed, a pair of legs of substantial length at opposite ends of said straight intermediate portion and integral therewith, each leg extending at right angles to said intermediate portion, both legs lying outside of and in contact with said one side wall of the file, a straight horizontal portion integral with each leg and extending outwardly therefrom, the straight horizontal portions extending in opposite directions and being of substantially equal length but having a length substantially less than the length of the aforesaid intermediate portion, and a second leg integral with each straight horizontal portion and extending downwardly at right angles to said horizontal portion substantially parallel to a first named leg but spaced a substantial distance therefrom; the lower ends of the second named legs being free, that is, having no connection with any other part, said first and second named legs and intermediate and horizontal portions being normally in a substantially common plane; the second named legs being inserted vertically in the pockets at the opposite ends of the file, with the straight portions that connect the two legs resting on the top edges of at least two of the partitions at each end of the attachment and with said second named legs in contact with the inner surface of said one side wall, so that the entire attachment is supported alongside the expanded file, the straight intermediate portion then being spaced a substantial distance from the normal top of the file, the second named legs entering so deeply into the file and the entire attachment being so resistant to bending that the bottom and top of the file are kept expanded equally, and the attachment remains securely held by pressure engagement of the legs with said one side wall of the file, yet may be manually removed therefrom.

2. A device for holding open the pockets of an expandable file consisting of a unitary elongated body of small cross section but resistant to bending, said body consisting of a straight intermediate portion and a pair of legs forming continuations of said intermediate portion at each end thereof; the legs of each pair being parallel and integral with each other but connected only at their upper ends; the extremities of the endmost legs being free and blunt so as to be incapable of piercing paper or other fabrics; the legs of each pair being spaced apart sutficiently far to permit the insertion of the extremity of each endmost leg into the end pocket of an expandable file, with the adjacent parallel leg located on the outside of the file and said straight intermediate portion also lying on the outside of the file; the two endmost legs having more than twice the length of the respectively adjacent parallel legs, so that their extremities may reach to the bottoms of the end pockets of the file; the entire device being fiat, that is, lying in a single plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 394,258 12/1888 Ferguson 129-15 X 399,411 3/1889 Hyland 24-81 856,881 6/1907 Johnson 129-15 1,595,761 8/1926 Doughty 129-15 1,811,124 6/1931 Greeley 24--8l X 1,881,124 10/1932 Belson 24-81 X 1,895,904 1/1933 Lutts et al. 248-97 X 2,307,899 1/ 1943 Olsen 24-81 X JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner. 

